Abstract: Proposed is a hybrid energy generation device using sunlight and solar heat including a photovoltaic panel in which a plurality of photovoltaic cells are arranged on a front side thereof, a first heat storage pipe having an inlet through which heat transfer fluid is introduced, and having a first slit hole formed on a side thereof in a longitudinal direction, a second heat storage pipe disposed to face the first heat storage pipe, having an outlet through which the heat transfer fluid is discharged, and having a second slit hole formed on a side thereof in a longitudinal direction, two or more third heat storage pipes arranged to connect the first heat storage pipe and the second heat storage pipe, and each having a third slit hole formed on a side thereof in a longitudinal direction, and a heat dissipation panel laminated on a back side of the PV panel.

Abstract: A complex energy generation device using sunlight and solar heat includes: a heat storage tube having, at a first side portion thereof, an inlet portion into which heat medium oil flows, and having, at a second side portion thereof, an outlet portion from which the heat medium oil is discharged, the heat storage tube having a slit at a lower surface thereof along a longitudinal direction thereof; a solar panel having a plurality of solar cells on a front surface thereof; and a heat radiation panel having an upper portion inserted into the heat storage tube through the slit of the heat storage tube while sealing the slit, and a lower portion laminated on a rear surface of the solar panel.

Abstract: In some examples, a first solar powered furnace may be fluidically coupled to a second solar powered furnace by an array interconnect, which may include a first receiver, a second receiver, and an array interconnect stent that is at least partially inserted into each of the first and second receivers. In some examples, a solar powered furnace may include a back pass air channel defined by a duct floor and a solar absorption plate, and a distance between the duct floor and the solar absorption plate and a flow rate of air may be selected such that air flows through the back pass air channel in a laminar flow regime.

Abstract: A solar collector system includes a plurality of frames. Each frame includes at least a pair of spaced apart side members, a plurality of cross members connected to the side members, the cross members pivotally moveable from a shipping configuration to a deployed configuration wherein in the deployed configuration, each cross member is positioned relative to an adjacent cross member with a predetermined angle, and a plurality of stantions extending from the frames. The solar collector system further includes a plurality of heliostats, each heliostat mounted to one of the stantions, and a plurality of ballasts coupled to the frames, each ballast having a lower surface contacting the ground without substantially penetrating the ground to maintain a position of the frames on the ground.

Abstract: A suntracking system for a central receiver solar power plant includes a heliostat field for reflecting sunlight to a receiver, cameras directed toward at least a subset of the heliostats, and a controller. The cameras are configured to produce images of sunlight reflected from multiple heliostats. The heliostats include a mirrored surface having a settable orientation and have a geometry modeled by a set of parameters. A method of estimating heliostat parameters for open-loop suntracking includes acquiring pointing samples by setting the direction of reflection of the heliostats and detecting concurrent sunlight reflections into the cameras. The method uses the acquired pointing samples and surveyed locations of the cameras to estimate the heliostat parameters. The method accurately maintains the sun's reflection directed toward the receiver open-loop utilizing the estimated tracking parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting solar panels is provided. Preferably, the apparatus includes a base, a solar panel receiving structure, and a support structure coupling the base to the solar panel receiving structure such that the solar panel receiving structure is at least one of elevated and angled relative to the base. The solar panel receiving structure preferably includes a base member, a first side member coupled to the base member, and a second side member coupled to the base member. Preferably, the first side member and the second side member are slotted so as to slidably receive at least one solar panel between the first side member, the second side member, and the base member.

Abstract: A suntracking system for a central receiver solar power plant includes a heliostat field for reflecting sunlight to a receiver, cameras directed toward at least a subset of the heliostats, and a controller. The cameras are configured to produce images of sunlight reflected from multiple heliostats. The heliostats include a mirrored surface having a settable orientation and have a geometry modeled by a set of parameters. A method of estimating heliostat parameters for open-loop suntracking includes acquiring pointing samples by setting the direction of reflection of the heliostats and detecting concurrent sunlight reflections into the cameras. The method uses the acquired pointing samples and surveyed locations of the cameras to estimate the heliostat parameters. The method accurately maintains the sun's reflection directed toward the receiver open-loop utilizing the estimated tracking parameters.

Abstract: A non-penetrating, roof-mounted, solar energy concentrator is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a receiver adapted to convert light into electricity; one or more reflectors adapted to direct solar light to the receiver; and a frame affixed to the receiver and one or more reflectors. The frame includes a plurality of footings adapted to frictional affix the frame to a roof, such that the concentrator is detachably secured to the roof with compromising the integrity of the roof. The footings may include or receive ballast used to increase the weight of the concentrator, thereby increasing the friction used to affix the concentrator to the roof without fasteners that penetrate the roof. The footings in some embodiments are also configured to deflect the wind, thereby reducing the wind load on the concentrator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting solar panels is provided. Preferably, the apparatus includes a base, a solar panel receiving structure, and a support structure coupling the base to the solar panel receiving structure such that the solar panel receiving structure is at least one of elevated and angled relative to the base. The solar panel receiving structure preferably includes a base member, a first side member coupled to the base member, and a second side member coupled to the base member. Preferably, the first side member and the second side member are slotted so as to slidably receive at least one solar panel between the first side member, the second side member, and the base member.

Abstract: A solar concentrating collector includes corrugated board parabolic support segments with flexible strips and side tabs over the cut edge to support a laminate with reflective coated film. The reflector assembly has supporting arms and pivots about a heat absorbing conduit secured to vertical extensions of adjacent stationary posts. Selected external surfaces are weatherproofed. The conduit includes vacuum insulators and means to isolate conduit from insulator expansion. Upper arms support pulleys and cable take-ups for continuous collector position changes. Cross members of the extended post secure the fixed conduit, and at a higher level, a programmable drive to rotate two cable capstans for cables that pivot two adjacent reflector assemblies. Other embodiments include triangular or square fluid conduits with planar surfaces for photovoltaic cells and a modified reflective surface to disperse solar rays into a band of reflected sunlight directed to photocell areas.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is modular system for utilization of solar energy for heating of sanitary water, which is composed from individual modules, each of which comprises a prefabricated, upper-outflow transparent (diaphanous), translucent or non-transparent element (1), one or several intermediate transparent (diaphanous), translucent or non-transparent element(s) (2), and a lower-inflow transparent (diaphanous), translucent or non-transparent element (3). Their mutual connection by means of junctions (4a, 4b) enables flow of nontransparent media from one element to the other while absorbing solar energy. Several modules can be mutually and in parallel connected to the modular system replacing the existing roofing tiles. The choice of an appropriate color for the nontransparent media makes the system compatible and consistent with the look of surrounding existing roof tiles.

Abstract: A heliostat which comprises a reflector element and a carrier that is arranged to support the reflector element above a ground plane. A drive means is arranged to impart pivotal drive to the carrier about a fixed, first axis that is, in use of the heliostat, disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. The heliostat further comprises a means mounting the reflector element to the carrier in a manner which permits pivotal movement of the reflector element with respect to the carrier and about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis. A drive means arranged to impart pivotal movement to the reflector element about the second axis. The reflector element, which may be flat or curved, may be constituted by a plurality of sub-reflector elements. Also, a plurality of the reflector elements may be supported by a single carrier.

Abstract: To optimally arrange roofing material integrated solar battery modules having a rectangular form and same size on a roof setting surface, an arrangement range in which the solar battery modules can be arranged on the roof setting surface is determined. An arranging direction of the solar battery modules is determined. The number of solar battery modules which can be arranged almost horizontally in a line in the determined arranging direction and within the arrangement range is calculated. Solar battery modules of a line in a number not more than the calculated number are combined to form a solar battery module group. The solar battery module groups are arranged to set a center of the solar battery module group within the determined arrangement range and near a line almost vertically dividing the surface into two parts.

Abstract: Device for heating with solar energy, which device contains at least one mirror construction (1) which is mounted on a frame (3) in a movable manner and which be directed towards the sun, and at least one collector (4) extending parallel to the mirror construction (1) in order to collect the solar radiation reflected by the mirror construction (1), characterized in that the mirror construction (1) contains a number of almost flat mirror strips (2) extending next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the collector (4) and which are each provided on the frame (3) such that they can rotate around their longitudinal direction, whereas the collector (4) is stationary in relation to the frame (3), whereby the mirror strips (2) are situated in an almost horizontal plane with their axes of rotation, whereby the device contains means (16) to rotate the mirror strips (2) and the mirroring surface of the mirror strips (2) such that the solar rays coming in on said surface can be reflected towards the collector

Abstract: A solar heat collecting apparatus wherein a heat-absorbing plate for absorbing the solar radiation is installed in a vacuum vessel, the solar heat accumulated in the heat-absorbing plate is transmitted to a working medium in a pipe connected to the heat-absorbing plate, an upper surface layer for passing the solar radiation irradiated on the heat-absorbing plate therethrough and reflecting the infrared radiation emerging from the heat-absorbing plate is formed on the upper surface of the heat-absorbing plate, a lower surface layer for reflecting the infrared radiation emerging from the heat-absorbing plate is formed on the lower surface of the heat-absorbing plate, a space-diving film is formed between the lower surface of the heat-absorbing plate and the bottom surface of the vacuum vessel, a reflection layer is formed on the bottom surface of the vacuum vessel, a film for passing the solar radiation and reflecting the infrared radiation is provided between the upper surface of the heat-absorbing plate and t

Abstract: A plurality of sun-ray collecting units connected to one another by parallel links and arranged in rows on first turning axes are supported on a pair of turning frames that can be turned about the first turning axes. Each of a pair of push-pull cables 54 is connected at one end thereof to a cable driving device and at the other end to one of the sun-ray collecting units which are supported in plurality on each of the turning frames. Thus, a space for placement of a sun-ray tracking system can be relatively reduced in size and the turning angle of each of the sun-ray collecting units about the first turning axis can be relatively increased. The sun-ray collecting units can be turned about the second turning axes in a simple structure using a single drive source.

Abstract: A light weight modular solar water heater whereby the entire solar collector of the system can be shipped in a single box by a low cost parcel service (like UPS) which is designed to be easily assembled and installed by one person such as a homeowner, handyman or installer hereinafter referred to as "installer" wherein the preferred embodiment the collector module is shipped in a single box with the frame and solar energy absorber in two sections using a three piece glazing and trim assembly allowing for the collector end sections to be fully assembled at the factory and allowing for the center section to be open for the solar collector installer to have easy access to connect the frame and absorber sections and may be attached to the roof using a unique tabbed mounting rails which allow for the attachment to the roof of multiple collectors using a tabbed U shaped bracket between collectors with absorber connections made using couplers which pull or "float" out of the collector after shipping for connection t

Abstract: A solar thermal water heating system including a solar collector unit, first and second heat exchangers, and a drain back tank, ordered respectively in vertically descending relation. The solar energy collector comprises a plurality of heat absorbing modules formed by deforming two plates into intimate contact with parallel metallic pipes disposed intermediate the plates. The uppermost surface of the pair of plates is provided with a black body coating to emit infrared radiation when sunlight is incident thereon. A glazing is provided over such black body surface to freely transmit incident light to the black body surface but to reflect infrared heat energy emitted by the black body surface. A pump for pumping fluid from the drain back tank to the solar collector unit is positioned horizontally adjacent the drain back tank. The first heat exchanger is vertically disposed within the water storage tank for conducting heat to potable water within the storage tank.

Abstract: A solar absorber assembly (13) having upper and lower connectors (14, 15) between which tubes (16) extend for conveying water to be heated, the tubes (16) being surrounded by a glazing assembly (17) which is supported by the connectors (14, 15). The connectors (14, 15) may be connected with adjacent connectors (14, 15) of adjacent assemblies (13) to form a fence panel (11) which can be supported by posts (12), the fence panel (11) also serving as a security fence for swimming pools.

Abstract: A roof shingle for solar heat collection comprises an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment of the roof shingle has a greater thickness than the lower segment. The upper segment has a transverse opening extending therethrough for receiving hollow tubing inserted therein. The opening is adapted to be aligned with openings in adjacent roof shingles on either side of the roof shingle.

Abstract: A solar energy collector comprising a plurality of heat absorbing modules formed by deforming two plates into intimate contact with parallel metallic pipes disposed intermediate the plates. The plates are secured together by rivets which are spaced along and traverse the deformed portions of the plates, thus providing a spring section to absorb unequal expansion of the plates and the fluid conducting pipes. The uppermost surface of the pair of plates is provided with a black body coating to emit infrared radiation when sunlight is incident thereon. A glazing is provided over such black body surface to freely transmit incident light to the black body surface but to reflect infrared heat energy emitted by the black body surface. Water or other heat transfer liquid flowing through the pipes is maintained at a sufficiently high pressure to produce a turbulent flow through the pipes to increase the efficiency of the heat transfer.

Abstract: A solar collector assembly includes a base frame having a half-round channel body and two side wings, a collector unit supported on two supports within the half-round channel body, two vertically spaced transparent top covers covered over the collector unit, and two end covers sealed at two opposite ends of the half-round channel body and the transparent top covers, wherein the supports can be adjusted to change the elevation and the angle of inclination in the X-axis or Y-axis direction; the base frame has inside space stuffed with a heat insulative material.

Abstract: A solar heater includes one or more conduits coupled between a pair of pipes, one or more extensions are formed on each of the pipes, each of the conduits has two ends rotatably engaged in the extensions of the pipes, and a heat collecting mechanism is fixed on each of the conduits and rotated in concert with the conduits such that the heat collecting mechanism can be rotated relative to the pipes in order to adjust the directions of the heat collecting mechanisms.